Rurouni Kenshin: The Movie

This movie was well executed. This, since it is really a puzzle piece that fills in the gaps left in the animated series Rurouni Kenshin, will be viewed by some as a bit weak, and only for fans. However, as a stand alone movie it is also quite good. The artwork follows more of the style of the series. The movie has its own storyline, but some see it as a lot of flashback. It is certainly an action oriented movie, and the ending is a bit of a twist. Also, the movie follows the shonen theme of the manga with the shojo undertones that makes Kenshin what it is. The movie is definitely worth seeing at least once, even for those who are not fans of foreign animation. This shows just how well a movie can pull all the elements together from a series and blend them with (at the time) high quality animation and quality voice acting.

Samurai X the Motion Picture is a good movie but it wasn't as well done as Rurouni Kenshin the T.V. series. I watched this before the T.V. series, and was a bit confused as to who everyone was. This isn't really a problem and is easily fixed by watching the movie. An annoying aspect of the movie is the showing of one flashback seven times. Seeing the same scene over and over really got boring. The animation didn't seem as good as the T.V. series either, but was still pretty good.

I gave Samurai X the Motion Picture an 8, but it's really more of a 7.5. It's a good anime, but nothing seemed to make it special.

The Japanese are the best animators in the world and this anime film proves it.

Rurôni Kenshin: Ishin shishi e no Requiem (1997)starts back in the days of the Meji revolution when Kenshin was the feared Hitokiri Battōsai.

Hitokiri Battōsai kills in battle a samurai called Takatsuki Gentatsu. Takatsuki's death is witnessed by his comrade Shigure Takimi.

The film then shifts to the year is 1879, and Japan is finally at peace, starting to modernize, and has opened its borders to the outside world.

Miss Kaoru, Kenshin, Sanosuke and Yahiko arrive at Yokohama by train for a sight-seeing tour.

There they witness a fight between some European sailors and a man called Shigure Takimi. Kenshin helps Shigure fight off the sailors. Later Kenshin and Shigure acquaint themselves.

Shigure Takimi has secretly sworn to avenge his fallen comrade by a Restoration movement to overthrow the current Japanese Government, and he has amassed some weapons and recruits for that purpose.

Toki who is the sister of the slain Takatsuki Gentatsu is deeply in love with Shigure Takimi. When things begin to get out of Toki's hands she reaches out to seek Kenshin's help. Kenshin promises to unite Toki and Shigure, but will that promise be fulfilled?

Watch this exciting film to find out.

Note: this anime contains scenes of violence so I do not recommend this film for children and persons under the age of 18.

When I saw this film I had no idea that it was a series, in fact I had never even heard of the film, I just caught it at a friends house. I was utterly shocked at the shear quality of it, the action is superb, and while the actual story isn't great (nor is it bad by any means) the messages and thoughts it provokes are very impressive (i wont go into them here). As I said I had never heard of this before, I knew nothing about the film, but unlike many anime the story doesn't get confusing and you get a good feel for the history of the characters. The only bad thing that I can say about the film is the quality of the animation isn't as good as I've seen, but this doesn't really detract from the enjoyment, especially when you get dragged into the story. Top stuff.(8/10).

I am a big fan of Rurouni Kenshin, I have seen every episode of the series and was excited to see more adventures from the wandering swordsman. As a fan of the dub, I was thrown off when our heroes sounded different than any version I had seen, but these English voice actors do a fine job. The story is very true to the feel of show. There is tension with a government, a group of violent rebels and Kenshin in the middle trying to make peace while keeping his vow to not kill. Much like so many movies from anime series, the film does not reach the same highs as the series. But this one does a good job showcasing what makes these characters so likable.